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Defence of the Kazan against Ivan the Terrible armies (Deification)

oil on canvas 245 x 440 cm (98 x 196 in.) 2005

This painting has been purchased by National Museum of Tararstan Republic

At the October, 1552 the Kazan city (it is a capital of Tatarstan Republic, Russia at our time) was attacked by Ivan the Terrible armies. He was one of the greatest Russian tsars and wanted to conquer the Kazan city to include it into the Russia. It was not just a war. It was a struggle between Muslim and Christian orthodox religions too. I would like to say that it is symbolical painting too.  There are represented several scene of this event at the painting and several fragments from the earliest events. I did this to make a complex painting to receive a special effect. I often use this effect in my works. I make a several scenes at one painting (as example “Christ leaving” ).

Firstly I wanted to represent the moment when Russians (figures at the left side) have rushed in to the city. There are you can see Christian orthodox priest at the left bottom corner. At this moment inhabitants of the Kazan city (figures at the right side) has gone towards them. They were dressed on the best dresses and jewelry because they didn’t want to be killed. There are you can see Muslim priest between them. Fragments of the battle have been represented at the center of the painting. You can see symbolical figure of the Ivan the Terrible in the sky. It’s my way to make a painting more complex, strong and finished.